Southport, Pimpama, Nerang: Gold Coast areas with most animal abuse complaints in new RSPCA data
Shock new statistics have revealed cases of animal cruelty on the Gold Coast are on the rise – with some suburbs far worse than others. HOW DOES YOUR SUBURB FARE?
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THE Gold Coast’s animal cruelty hot spots have been revealed, with Southport, Pimpama and Nerang subject of most complaints to the RSPCA last year.
The latest data from the animal welfare charity shows that Southport had a total of 109 reported animal abuse complaints followed by Pimpama with 83 complaints and Nerang with 79 for 2019.
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RSPCA Qld spokesman Michael Beatty said the report showed cruelty cases were on the rise.
“In 2019, we received a total of 18,692 complaints in Queensland about animal cruelty and neglect, almost eight hundred more than the previous year,” he said.
“It’s disappointing to see the number of cruelty cases are on the rise.
“Obviously it’s not good news, you want the numbers to be decreasing not rising.
“Our inspectors are already operating under an enormous workload.”
He said the most common cruelty complaints received included animals with insufficient food and water, poor living conditions, animals being tethered and not receiving exercise, abandonment, injuries not being treated and animals looking in poor condition.
He said there was nearly a thousand calls across Queensland regarding heat stress – either the animal was left in a hot car or it couldn’t reach shade and water in the yard.
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“This is a disturbing statistic – Queensland’s heat is deadly and animals need to be able to stay cool,” he said.
The majority of Gold Coast suburbs (68 per cent) recorded less than 10 complaints, but sadly many received higher than 40 complaints.
Coomera came in fourth with 71 complaints of cruelty followed by Upper Coomera with 68 and Labrador with 57.
Carrara, Helensvale, Surfers Paradise and Ormeau had 50 or less with Molendinar, Palm Beach, Molendinar, Mudgeeraba, Varsity Lakes and Pacific Pines coming with under 30 complaints.
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Data from the previous year shows Gold Coasters are yet to change their attitudes towards animal abuse with Southport, Pimpama, Upper Coomera, Nerang, Coomera and Helensvale the worst suburbs in 2018.
The RSPCA received 1365 complaints in the Gold Coast region for that year. It was comparable to the 1421 complaints in 2017.
Drugs and domestic violence were also a factor, experts said.
MOST ANIMAL CRUELTY COMPLAINTS FOR 2019
Southport 109
Pimpama 83
Nerang 79
REMAINING SUBURBS
Coomera 71
Upper Coomera 68
Labrador 57
Carrara 50
Helensvale 49
Surfers Paradise 49
Ormeau 41
Molendinar 27
Palm Beach 27
Mudgeeraba 25
Varsity 22
Pacific Pines 21
Mermaid Waters 20
Ashmore 19
Burleigh Waters 19
Bundall 18
Miami 16
Broadbeach 14
Tallebudgera 13
Paradise Point 13
Main Beach 12
Tugun 11
Reedy Creek 7
Currumbin 6
Robina 4
Burleigh Heads 2
Bilinga 2
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